Grilled Salmon Recipes

Grilled salmon makes for one of the greatest red wine and fish pairings, it is the exception to the white wine and fish rule! Don’t feel confused, it’s simple. Salmon is a meaty fish and grilling gives it charred, smoky flavors.

Pinot Noir is a high acid red wine with delicate flavors, but it usually is barrel aged, giving the wine smoky flavors and a bit of a charred note. Put grilled salmon and Pinot Noir together and the smoky, charred elements of the pairing marry perfectly and fall into the background. The high acid of the Pinot then counters the oily richness of the fish, leaving the fruit of the wine and flavor of the fish to shine. Other reds that also fit this bill include lighter Nebbiolo bottlings and some of the new Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio wines that are coming out of Sicily. Frappato is another Sicilian variety that is making a name for itself based on sheer drinkability and ease of food pairing.